Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Richmond, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is seeking an experienced, adaptable, and inspirational individual to join its Conservation Department as the Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings. This role provides leadership, oversight, and expertise in the conservation and preservation of the museum's collection of paintings on canvas and panel. The Senior Conservator will work collaboratively with colleagues within Conservation and across the museum to oversee all aspects of the care of paintings in the permanent collection and on loan. Responsibilities include examination, documentation, treatment, technical research, preventive conservation, and developing and implementing priorities for the long-term preservation of the collection. The position involves working closely with curators and other museum colleagues, applying established conservation standards and ethical principles to preserve the physical integrity, aesthetic qualities, and historical significance of each work while supporting the museum’s exhibition, loan, acquisition, and programmatic needs. The role partners with the Chief Conservator to provide leadership, vision, and management of the paintings conservation staff and collaborates on departmental strategic planning, priorities, and budget management. Additionally, the Senior Conservator will contribute to the museum’s public engagement and educational programs through activities such as laboratory tours, presentations, and responding to public inquiries. The position may also contribute to fundraising and development initiatives. National and international travel may be required for research, conferences, workshops, teaching opportunities, and activities related to exhibitions, loans, and new acquisitions.

Requirements

Proven skills in the supervision and mentoring of conservators and/or postgraduate fellows.
Proven skills in project and budget management.
Proven skills in working collaboratively across departments in a complex institutional setting.
Demonstrated proficiency performing condition assessments.
Demonstrated proficiency developing complex conservation treatment proposals.
Demonstrated proficiency executing treatments independently and to a high degree of competency and efficiency.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate treatment proposals and supervise treatments being performed by staff, interns, and contractors.
Demonstrated proficiency researching history, methods of manufacture, materials, and condition issues utilizing scientific analysis and examination techniques frequently used in conservation.
Experience in interpreting analytical results.
Significant record of publications and/or presentations in both professional and public settings.
Skilled with computer software programs commonly used in conservation, including collection management systems, software for scientific analysis, and spreadsheets.
Strong experience as courier for artworks.
Knowledge of safe methods for handling chemicals and hazardous materials based on OSHA standards.

Nice To Haves

Experience with project management tools like Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner, and Asana.
International and traveling exhibition courier experience.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, oversight, and expertise in the conservation and preservation of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ collection of paintings on canvas and panel.
Oversees all aspects of the care of paintings in the permanent collection and, as appropriate, works on loan to the Museum.
Conducts examination, documentation, treatment, and technical research of paintings.
Develops and implements preventive conservation strategies and priorities for the long-term preservation of the collection.
Works closely with curators and other museum colleagues to preserve the physical integrity, aesthetic qualities, and historical significance of artworks.
Supports the museum’s exhibition, loan, acquisition, and programmatic needs.
Partners with the Chief Conservator to provide leadership, vision, and management of the paintings conservation staff.
Collaborates with the Chief Conservator and other Senior Conservators on departmental strategic planning, priorities, and budget management.
Contributes to the museum’s public engagement and educational programs through activities such as laboratory tours, presentations, and responses to public inquiries.
May contribute to fundraising and development initiatives by communicating the significance and impact of conservation work.
Travels nationally and internationally for research, conferences, workshops, teaching opportunities, and activities related to exhibitions, loans, and new acquisitions.
Manages time, workload, and multiple competing responsibilities.
Conveys information clearly, succinctly, and accurately to a wide range of audiences.
Ensures knowledge of safe methods for handling chemicals and hazardous materials based on OSHA standards.